Effect of cis-platinum on tolerance to radiation therapy in advanced cervical cancer

Women with advanced carcinoma of the uterine cervix are at high risk for the development of local, regional, and distant metastases. Thus, both effective systemic agents and radiosensitizers could be useful adjuvants. However, because a substantial fraction of women with advanced cervical neoplasms are cured with radiation therapy, such experimental agents must not compromise the administration of conventional therapy. Cis-platinum is particularly appealing as it has both radiosensitizing properties and activity in metastatic cervical cancer. The present study examined the effect of weekly cis-platinum on radiation tolerance in 29 women with advanced cervical cancers. Although toxicity was acceptable, no marked enhancement in survival could be demonstrated.